Accession Number:

AD0809823

Title:

AN OCEANOGRAPHIC AIRCRAFT.

Descriptive Note:

Informal manuscript,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICE NSTL STATION MS

Personal Author(s):

• Schule, John J., Jr.
• Wilkerson, John C.

Report Date:

1967-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

11.0

Abstract:

A Lockheed Super Constellation was fitted with airborne oceanographic sensors for measuring sea surface temperature, temperature at depth, and gravity waves. Surface temperature varying from -2 degrees to 35 C is determined from measurement of 8- to 13- micron infrared radiation. At aircraft speeds of 300 feet per second the system records continuously the average sea surface temperature of an area 1,200 meters square. Vertical ocean temperature profiles are recorded to depths of 300 meters by expendable bathythermographs during flight. Surface waves are measured with a precise radar-ranging technique for profile mapping of the ocean wave structure. Wave heights from 0.3 to 15 meters are resolved for waves 30 - 600 meters in length. Meteorological sensors are also used for measuring atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity at flight level. Field data collected during an aerial survey are presented to show the qualitative and quantitative value of airborne oceanographic measurements. Author

Descriptors:

• *METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS)
• (*NAVAL AIRCRAFT
• (*OCEANOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
• NAVAL AIRCRAFT)
• OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA
• METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA
• DETECTORS
• AIRBORNE
• MEASUREMENT
• SURFACE TEMPERATURE
• BATHYTHERMOGRAPH DATA
• OCEAN WAVES
• BAROMETRIC PRESSURE
• ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE
• HUMIDITY
• OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT
• MARINE METEOROLOGY
• INFRARED RADIATION
• DETECTION
• TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
• THERMAL RADIATION
• THERMOMETERS
• BATHYTHERMOGRAPHS
• RADAR EQUIPMENT
• FREQUENCY MODULATION
• HIGH FREQUENCY

Subject Categories:

• Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft
• Transport Aircraft
• Meteorology
• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE